1
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deceptive
In the short term, the company focuses on immediate relief from rising annual maintenance fees, open loans, and the financial fallout from deceptive sales practices.
—
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Tenet had sued Leapfrog last year over poor grades given to its Palm Beach Network hospitals, calling the grading process unfair and deceptive.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
This is also a place where appearances can be deceptive, so don’t write off a listing just because the house seems unremarkable in online photos.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Sometimes that stat is deceptive.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Tenet had sued Leapfrog last year over poor grades given to its Palm Beach Network hospitals, calling the grading process unfair and deceptive.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
This is also a place where appearances can be deceptive, so don’t write off a listing just because the house seems unremarkable in online photos.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Sometimes that stat is deceptive.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceptive
Adjective
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Alas, the misleading, cold-in-the-morning, warm-at-night weather has finally arrived.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Despite the backlash, DeRosa has insisted the criticism has created misleading narratives about his handling of the team and his understanding of the tournament format.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Transfers made after a dispute becomes foreseeable can be challenged as fraudulent conveyances.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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Criminals look for confusion around tax rules, new programs or trending online advice and use that uncertainty to push fraudulent claims or steal personal information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Chapman is charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Thomas Edward Manfredi, 33, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and making a false police report, according to an arrest warrant.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This Editorial Board took particular umbrage at the shady origins of the proposal.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
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There’s something slightly shady about this time of year, too, where mid-major talent gets showcased so that the players can get plucked out of school by the major conferences.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is dishonest and partisan.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
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This is dishonest and partisan.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Stand back and check for any shingles that look lifted, crooked, or curled.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
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Your mailbox is a small feature that can signal neglect if it’s dated, deteriorating, or crooked.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceptive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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